RW Jared Boll, more known as an enforcer for the team, showed that he has other skills by tipping in a rebound at 8:38 to cut the deficit to 3-2. That goal seemed to energize the team as they skated and battled like their lives depended on it.

Cam Atkinson, made a rebound shot and the game was tied 3-3 at the 15:20 mark.

From there, Columbus held on and took the game into overtime.

The Jackets kept up the pace and pressure by staying in the Flyers’ own zone.

Artem Anisimov scored the game-winner at 2:17 of the extra period as he was free against Flyers’ goaltender Ray Emery, to knock in the rebound blast shot by teammate James Wisniewski and the crowd of 16,403 went home happy from Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets tied the game 1-1 on Brandon Dubinsky’s goal at 8:09 of the second period.

That was shortlived, as the Flyers came back to go-ahead 2-1 on a Sean Couturier’s goal at 17:47 of the same period.

Wayne Simmonds got the game’s scoring going at 10:33 of the first period.

COLUMBUS, O. — The Los Angeles Kings on paper would appear to be one of the best teams in the National Hockey League.

At times they seem unbeatable. Other times they play inconsistent hockey, can’t string together two victories.

Just when people count them out as done for a season, the Kings emerge into the playoffs and a serious Stanley Cup contender. Proof, they have won two of the last three Cups.

Tuesday night, the Blue Jackets learned that the Kings came to play and would not be denied a win.

Scott Hartnell was the center of attention playing in his 1,000th NHL game vs the Kings (2014 photo by Lisa Gansky via wikipedia commons)

LA’s top line of Dwight King, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli all scored goals en route to a 4-3 win before a crowd of 14,703 at Nationwide Arena. That line shot the puck a total of 10 times.

The Blue Jackets led briefly 1-0 on a goal by Jack Skille at 1:40 of the first period.

But the Kings had an answer everytime the Jackets got close on the scoreboard.

One bright spot in the game for Columbus was LW Scott Hartnell played in his 1,000th career NHL game. Only 27 current active players and 297 overall have ever achieved this honor in the game’s history. It was only fitting that Hartnell scored a goal in the contest.

Also scoring in the game were LA’s Dustin Brown and the CBJ’s David Savard.

Back in February when the Blue Jackets were 5-12-5, it looked like another season that was going to end in April.

The Detroit Red Wings at the time were in a playoff position (the top eight spots) and headed to the playoffs.

Well, this 48-game season has been one who has benefitted teams like the Blue Jackets and New York Islanders and has hurt Detroit and Nashville.

The Blue Jackets for the first time in their history won the season series from the Red Wings which is unbelievable.

As of today, April 22, The Blue Jackets have 51 points, tied for 7th place with Minnesota and the Red Wings are 9th with 48 points, tied with Dallas. The Blue Jackets have two games left while Detroit has four left.

The Red Wings lost in a shootout at Vancouver on Saturday and could not tie the Columbus.

Detroit has a streak of 21 straight seasons of making the NHL playoffs, which ties them for the fifth-longest such streak in league history.

* The penalty shot attempted by Rick Nash in the second period was the 25th in franchise history. The Blue Jackets have been successful on seven of those attempts. The last penalty shot goal scored was on March 25, 2010 against the Chicago Blackhawks by Jakub Voracek.

* Columbus is now 14-24-6 all-time vs. Edmonton, including 9-9-4 at Nationwide.

* The Blue Jackets scored the first goal of the game for the 35th time this season. The club is now 18-14-4 in those games, while going 13-3-1 when leading after the first period and 2-29-2 when trailing after two periods.

* Columbus allowed five goals in the second period Sunday afternoon, the most the team has allowed in one period at home in franchise history. It marks the third time this has happened (December 16, 2006 vs. Chicago, first period; October 23, 2001 vs. Los Angeles, first period.

* Goalie Allen York of the Blue Jackets made his sixth appearance of the season when he came in at the start of the 3rd period. He stopped all 10 of the shots he faced in 20 minutes of action.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

Ryan Jones was the star for Edmonton with 3 points (NHL photo)

* 1. Ryan Jones, Edmonton left wing with 1 goal, 2 assists.

* 2. Rick Nash, CBJ left wing with a goal and an assist.

* 3. Ladislav Smid, Edmonton defenseman with 1 goal and 1 assist.

* Edmonton improves to 31-36-9 for 71 points overall. 13-21-4 on the road for 30 points.

* Columbus falls to 24-44-7 for 55 total points overall. 14-21-3 for 31 points at home.

Several media reports from Nationwide Arena on Monday afternoon said that when the Blue Jackets told Sammy Pahlsson that he had been traded to a contending team, the Vancouver Canucks, he was very disappointed with the move. Several weeks ago when his name starting coming up in rumors about trades, he said he didn’t want to leave Columbus.

Pahlsson, a checking-line center, will be a member of the Canucks. Columbus will receive two fourth-round picks in the 2012 NHL entry draft.

Some fans and media probably look at fourth-round picks as nothing, but in looking at the Blue Jackets NHL and AHL rosters, they’ve had success in that round with Jared Boll, Maksim Mayorov and David Savard. So there is talent to be found in that round. The scouts have to find those players.